India-Bangladesh cricket ties back on track? BCB media rights tender raises hopes for white-ball series

India and Bangladesh cricket team (Image Agency) Mumbai: Is India set to play Bangladesh in a white-ball bilateral series in September, marking the resumption of cricketing ties between the two neighboring nations?After almost a year of strained diplomatic and cricketing relations, India-Bangladesh relations may finally be on track, with prospects for the six-match white-ball series – comprising three ODIs and three T20Is – looking increasingly bright.While the BCCI refused to comment on the matter, the latest development suggests that the ice between the two countries and their cricket boards may have finally been broken. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday floated a tender for the television and digital media rights for the proposed white-ball series.The BCB has approached Indian broadcasters and invited expressions of interest for its domestic international cricket rights for 2026 and 2027, specifically mentioning India’s tour of Bangladesh in 2026.Political tensions between the two countries led to the BCCI “postponing” the six-match white-ball series citing a busy international calendar in August last year.The postponement was followed by a series of events, including the withdrawal of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders during the IPL and later Bangladesh’s refusal to participate in the 2026 FIFA T20 World Cup, citing security concerns.However, there seems to be a thaw in cricketing ties between the two nations. One indication was the BCCI’s refusal to grant Sri Lanka Cricket’s request to schedule three more T20Is during India’s tour of Sri Lanka later next month, after the two-Test series.

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Share an opinionThe tender published on the BCB website said: “Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) along with financial offers from reputed TV broadcasters, digital platforms and marketing agencies/consortia/firms to acquire the worldwide media rights of the following bilateral international domestic series.”The confidential tender document notably mentions India’s proposed tour of Bangladesh along with the planned home series against the West Indies, England and Pakistan. The bidding process will officially start on July 2nd, with a deadline of July 22nd.BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia recently told PTI that the Indian board is not interested in the regime in Bangladesh and will instead follow the Indian government’s directive while accepting the call to play a bilateral series against the neighboring country.According to the itinerary released earlier by the BCB, the Indian team is expected to arrive in Dhaka on August 28. The three ODIs are scheduled on September 1, 3 and 6, while the three T20Is will be played on September 9, 12 and 13.